Which statements apply to bacterial pneumonia in guinea pigs?

• A. Mortality may reach 100%.
• B. It may be transmitted via asymptomatic rabbits housed in the same room.
• C. It is often associated with Bordetella bronchiseptica and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Bacterial pneumonia in guinea pigs can be severe, with disease that spreads readily and can be fatal in affected colonies. Mortality can be very high, particularly in outbreaks or among vulnerable animals, so the possibility of near-100% death in untreated cases is a real concern. Transmission routes include asymptomatic carriers, and this is where cross-species transfer comes into play: Bordetella bronchiseptica can inhabit rabbits without obvious signs and shed bacteria into shared air spaces, so guinea pigs in the same room can become exposed even if they aren’t showing illness themselves. In clinical cases, Bordetella bronchiseptica is a common culprit in guinea pig pneumonia, and infections can be more severe or complicated when other bacteria are involved, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, leading to co-infections. Putting those pieces together, all of the statements reflect realistic aspects of this disease: high potential mortality, possible transmission from asymptomatic rabbits in the same room, and association with Bordetella bronchiseptica, sometimes alongside Streptococcus pneumoniae.